Your pet may be in need of dog dental care. Does he have that typical bad doggie breath? If you do notice a horrible smell when he breathes into your face, chances are that it may be a clue that your dog may need dental care.

In the past pet owners believed that they did not have to do anything to keep their dog’s teeth and gums healthy. They believed that nature would take care of the dog’s teeth naturally. Gradually commercial pet companies introduced hard dog biscuits that would help clean your dog’s teeth. Since those beginnings, it has become more well known that dogs may need help in the teeth cleaning and breath area.

Dog dental care is one aspect of your overall pet’s health care. Dogs with healthy teeth and gums will have overall healthy mouths, which will help them to live longer and happier lives. Although having bad dental care may not decrease your pet’s overall life expectancy, it could cause him pain and discomfort and may even lead to him losing one or several teeth. And, if you didn’t know, having a serious infection in the mouth may even lead to heart and kidney disease.

A dog?s teeth and human teeth are different in structure and the use they are put to. At the same time, apart from the fact that dogs do not develop cavities and are more prone to develop tartar, dogs have to face nearly the same dental problems that humans have to struggle with.

Just as in humans, if you are not careful about dental care your dog may be at a higher risk of developing dental problems like:

-?? ?Canine bad breath.
-?? ?Gingivitis or inflammation of the gums.
-?? ?Bacterial infection in teeth.
-?? ?Abscesses, a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed gum tissue.
-?? ?A more serious disease that attacks the gum and the bone around the teeth, known as periodontitis. ?

Teeth and mouth infections can lead to tooth extraction. These infections can also enter the blood stream and attack vital organs elsewhere in the body. While a dog breath freshener may temporarily cure bad dog breath, only a proper dental care program can keep your dog?s teeth and gums in a fighting fit condition.

Canine dental care should ideally include the following: